FDA, in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state partners, is investigating seven human cases of Salmonella Kiambu infection potentially associated with pet food made by Texas-based Mid America Pet Food.
As of November 9, CDC reports that seven people have been infected with the pathogen in California, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, and Hawaii. Six cases involved children under the age of 1 year. Five of the incidents reported exposure to dogs and three reported feeding Victor pet food to their pets. CDC adds that people in this outbreak become sick after touching the recalled dog food, touching objects such as dog bowls that contained the dog food, or touching the feces or saliva of dogs that were fed the product.
Mid America Pet Food issued a voluntary recall in early November, expanding previous recalls made in September and October, for dog and cat food made at its Mount Pleasant, Texas, facility with best by dates before October 31, 2024, due to the products’ potential to be contaminated with the pathogen. The recalled products include Victor Super Premium Dog Foods, Wayne Feeds Dog Food, Eagle Mountain Pet Food, and two varieties of Member’s Mark pet foods that were sold nationwide in retail stores and online.
“We are taking this matter very seriously, and we have already implemented enhanced cleaning at our facility, additional product testing, and other important quality measures to ensure product safety,” the company said in a news release. “As we move forward, Mid America Pet Food is strengthening our commitment to food safety.”
FDA warns consumers who have any of the pet food on the recall list to throw it away in a secure container. Requests for comment from Mid America Pet Food were not immediately returned, and FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
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